Minimum driving age?

[GlacierRidge]

I am thinking of getting another mini, another future driving prospect. He is not yet 2 years old. I know the ground work can be started now... but at in general, how long should I wait before hitching him to a cart? Then including weight into it? I trained my mini gelding here, but he is 5 now....so there was no need to wait, once he was ready, we got to it!

I'm just wondering if I get started on the ground work, and was able to continue with short sessions through the winter, by next summer, when he is 2, can he be hitched, or would it be best to wait until older? I know each horse is different, but I'm just asking in general here!

Thanks!

 

[Miniv]

A lot has to do with causing damage to a young horse's legs while they're growing....... Because of this, I know AMHA doesn't allow a horse that's under age 3 to compete in driving classes.

Every horse's growth plate in their legs closes at a slightly different age, but according to AMHA, the average age is by three years....... I would check your horse for that, OR, I wouldn't put any weight behind him until he's age 3.........Just my opinion.

MA

 

[Devon]

3 to hitch up 2 for ground work I would say.

 

[susanne]

I don't believe a full-sized horse would ever be hitched before the age of 3, and cart/driver to big horse weight ratio is much more in favor of the horse than cart/driver to mini.

Since I want my horse to be sound for many years of driving, I would never hitch before they are three.

(Although this doesn't explain why Mingus is 7 and only starting to drive...)

 

[mmmorgans]

I don't believe a full-sized horse would ever be hitched before the age of 3, and cart/driver to big horse weight ratio is much more in favor of the horse than cart/driver to mini.

The Morgan people drive horses at age two - I wouldn't do it - but it is done and there are classes at their big shows for two year olds.

And - I believe that some of the "trotters" are raced at two years of age.

I am glad that AMHA does not allow competitive driving unless the horse is 3 - that to me is way better for the horse - and what is the rush anyway?

 

[susanne]

Is that breed show or ADS or in general?

I guess I'm just more conservative with my horses and remember others as being the same, right or wrong.

My bad.

 

[wiccanz]

Also, standardbreds are raced at 2 (and therefore broken in as late yearlings).

Personally, I take a look at the horse itself - some are very mature as late 2 year olds, some are not mature until 4 + years.

 

[Jill]

I know I'm in the minority and get accused of being in a rush (yeah, right), but I have had many of my driving horses started as 2yo's including actually pulling the cart. I'm in it for the long haul, no pun intented, with the horses I have trained to drive and I think it is fine for them to be started, lightly, as 2yo's.

 

[sams]

i work with race horse and they are broke and driving as yearlings to be ready to race as two year olds. i dont agree with this and think this is why so many race horses aquire so many leg injuries. I dont break my own race horses untill much later, i have two 4 year olds that havent raced yet. this is a little extream but i want my horses to last. i think the same shouls apply to minis. I dont see a problem though with ground driving them. I am ground driving my yearling mini now every once in a while just so she learns her maners ( hopfully she will be a pro by the time i get the cart on

) and gets to do something different, but i keep the sessions short because she is so young and i dont want her to get frusterated.

 

[disneyhorse]

Sure there are lots of people who drive, ride and work their horses before age three. But since there is MEDICAL PROOF that their bones aren't done growing yet, WHY would you do that?

The racing industry, the Amish who put the two year olds to plow, and the Futurity money show horses have financial reasons they do this. IF you have a beloved animal that you intend on doing a little more than use-and-burn-out... why not give that animal the chance to be a baby for a little while? Mentally and physically, they are NOT at their peak to begin an adult life of work.

I will start ground driving my horses at the end of their two-year-old year, with hopes of hitching Jan-Feb of their three year old year. Sometimes they are not mentally or physically ready by then, and they wait.

I don't find much value in ground driving that yearling "just to prepare them and give them longer" because I've found that horses, if you train them fairly and consistently, are very smart animals and don't need a ridiculous amount of time for introduction. Merely handling them as babies, yet letting them be babies, will be enough. In working with a lot of horses, I find their patience level to really be ABLE to stand still under harness does not come until four or five... so you are just going to frustrate yourself and your horse by trying to make them "act like a grownup" until they are able.

Of course, some people rush their children to perform and do things early... so what's the big deal about a horse

Andrea

 

[dannigirl]

We have done a couple as early as 2 1/2, but usually they don't get started till late in their 3 yr old year or later. When we did start the younger ones, we were very limited on the amount they pulled and the length of time. These two are now 9 and are doing great jobs and seem to have no ill effects from their early start.

 

[willowoodstables]

I will hook mine to the tire as mid to late 2 yr old a couple times and then quit till the spring of their three year old. There really is no difference IMHO in hooking to a well balanced cart and jogging a little then round penning the be-geezzuz out of those "unclosed knees". I teach them to bend in the shafts and trot on and then when they are 3 I start legging them up before asking them to set heads, drive off hocks etc!

Kim

 

[GlacierRidge]

Thanks for the input! I believe I will be buying this colt (he's a grulla, and oh so cute!). I didn't plan to really start driving with him till at least three, so seems that's pretty right-on. I would start with ground work...and was hoping it would be safe to hitch him and drive him with the cart, with no added weight on it. I trained a mini gelding this summer to drive, but he is also 7 years old...so I knew no worries there!

Thanks